She nodded. “There was this girl in high school - Elaine Draper. Yuck. She was the senior class president, homecoming queen and every guy’s dream girl. I couldn’t stand her. She was so stuck up, and everything came so easy for her. She started a rumor about me that I stole money from a teacher’s purse, which I didn’t do. I ended up getting suspended from school for the rest of the semester.”
“Wow. Then you get it. Henrietta Bankston is my arch nemesis.”
“Bankston… why does that sound familiar?”
“She’s the mayor’s wife.”
“Oh, that's right. So your arch nemesis is the mayor's wife? Did you get into a fight with her or something?”
“Not exactly. She came in here and was very snotty. I didn't like it.” She looked back down at the dough and groaned under her breath, wadding it up into a ball again.
“So you just didn't like the way she talked to you? And now you want to rip your own skin off?”
“It might sound ridiculous to you, but I don't like being patronized. She thinks she can win this thing, and I'm going to prove her wrong.”
“Does the lady even really care about winning?”
SuAnn stared at her. “She's won the last twelve years in a row.”
Darcy's mouth dropped open. “Yikes. I don't like your chances.”
“You don't know me all that well yet. But, I always get what I want.”
Darcy laughed. “I can see that. Well, for what it's worth, I hope you beat old Henrietta Bankston. And I hope there's big prize money in it for you.”
“Thanks, dear.”
Darcy walked across the room to wipe down one of the tables. “And just so you know, I got my revenge on Elaine Draper.”
SuAnn looked up. “Oh yeah? What did you do?”
“She had this beautiful long hair. Everybody wanted her hair. I may or may not have hidden behind her in the movie theater with a big wad of gum. It was so bad, she had to cut a bunch off,” she said, scrunching her nose.
"You've got to be kidding! You made that poor girl cut her hair?"
Darcy couldn't help but chuckle. “Maybe. She had to cut it really short and looked like a boy at prom. It wasn't pretty. Here she was with her long, flowing pink gown and a super short haircut that looked like she was entering military service.”
“That's terrible!” SuAnn, waving her hand at Darcy as she tried not to laugh. “But I might need your advice on a few things if I can't get this pie to work. Keep that gum handy. Hen has a big bouffant hairdo.”
Darcy nodded and grinned. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve, for sure. You just say the word.”
SuAnn rolled her eyes, but secretly wondered if she might need Darcy’s help after all. It sounded like she was a much better friend than an enemy.
“Come on! Let me do this for you. We’re long overdue for a big party anyway!” Julie said. Dixie rolled her eyes.
“You just love planning shindigs, don’t you?”
Julie smiled. “If it’s for my best friend in the world, yes. We need to celebrate your new marriage!”
“Honey, you don’t have to go to all that trouble. I love you for offering…”
“It’s no trouble. We’ll do it at the inn two weeks from Sunday. That will give Dawson time to get things back in order after the foster kids’ camp. Sound good?”
Dixie shrugged her shoulders and laughed. “Works for me. I just don’t want to be a bother.”
Julie put her hands on Dixie’s shoulders. “You’ve done so much for everyone in this community. Let us be excited and celebrate your new adventure, okay?”
“Fine. Okay. But, please don’t spend a bunch of money. I’m not royalty or anything.”
“Well, you’re our royalty around here. How’s Harry?” Julie asked as she wiped down the counter where they served coffee. A customer had spilled more sugar than they’d used.
“He’s much better. The doc says his ankle is all healed up, and he’s currently down at the storage unit with William. They’re assessing what the boat needs. Harry has some experience in that area.”
“That’s great. Janine told me what William is planning. I never would’ve expected that.”
Dixie sat down at the bistro table with a cup of coffee. “Yeah, me neither. His daddy was big into fishing and boating, but William never seemed like the type to go into it as a career. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of him for trying something new. I sure hope it works out. He’s had a heck of a time finding his place in the world.”
Julie took the used coffee filter out of the machine and dropped it into the trash can before replacing it and starting the machine again. “Yeah, I understand that myself. I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.”
Dixie laughed. “Life is all about endings and beginnings. As long as you don’t get stuck on an ending, you’ll do fine.”
Julie sat down. “Maybe I am stuck on an ending.”
“You mean Michael?”
Julie nodded. “Where do I go from here? I just work, play with my grandbaby and date Dawson?”
Dixie looked at her questioningly. “Do you want more?”
“Don’t we all?”
“Sugar, do you want to marry Dawson?”
Julie sighed. “I don’t know. I said I never wanted to get married again. But, I don’t know if I truly meant it. I meant it at the time I said it…”
Dixie reached over and squeezed her hand. “Julie, it’s okay to change your mind. Dawson loves you, and I know he wants a future with you.”
“We’re in a good place right now. There’s no need to rush things.”
“Are you saying that because you think it’s the right thing to say or because you actually feel that way?”
“I have no idea.”
“Do you want to date other people?”
Julie stared at Dixie. She had never even considered that idea, actually. It wasn’t like she got divorced so she could play the field. Her plan had been to stay married to Michael forever, although she was happy that those prayers hadn’t been answered favorably.
“Absolutely not. Dawson is perfect for me. If things don’t work out with him, I’ve lost all hope in love.” She wasn’t joking. Her relationship with Dawson was everything she’d ever dreamed of. All of those years with Michael, she’d thought she had a good marriage. Not perfect, but livable. Adequate. Looking back, she’d been settling for at least the last ten years of their marriage. There was no settling with Dawson. He was a good partner, a wonderful friend and a strong, steady presence in her life.
“Honey, I believe you’re overthinking this whole thing. Look, I said I’d never get married again and now I’m sitting here with a big old gold band on my finger. When love comes along and knocks you right over the head, you can’t help but believe in second chances.”
Julie smiled. “I’m so happy for you and Harry.”
“Don’t change the subject. The question remains - would you marry Dawson if he asked?”
“I…”